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distance. Indeed, I was informed that patches of limestone are occasionally found about here, as on Sec. 25, T. 12 R. 7, and at two or three points east of the Dells. At the former place a dark colored lime is burnt for the use of the people of Adams; distance seven miles (Sketch).
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Lake of the Hills. Sketch.
About three miles south of Adams (near Baraboo) lies a small lake which is sunk deep in a group of very high rocky hills (Devil's Lake). From the high bluffs a mile east of Adams the valley of this lake may be seen forming a sudden break or notch in the hills; and it is apparent to the eye that the hills are higher at this place than on other side.
The drawing represents accurately the general appearances of this remarkable feature. This lake is vulgarly called Devil's Lake from the wild rocky place in which it is found. It is almost inaccessible except at one point for teams. It has no visible outlet on the surface; the surplus of water being carried off by subterranean passages into a small branch of the Baraboo.
From the stories I had heard about this little lake I was prepared to find it one of much interest, perhaps the crater of an extinct volcano:
Passing directly south from Adams we soon began to ascend the hills and found the roads difficult on account of the numerous stones and sharp ascents. We observed that these loose stones consisted of the altered sandstone and conglomerate similar to that found north of Lyons.
At short three miles from Adams we found, although we had ascended very considerably, we had a much higher hill on our
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left, between us and the lake. We halted opposite the south end of the lake and upon approaching the bank found a perpendicular escarpment of this rock 250 to 300 feet high, reaching directly down to the water. The lake is not entirely surrounded by these rocks; there are three prominent cliffs separated by narrow valleys. A large body of broken fragments have accumulated along the edge of the water rendering it very difficult to walk along shore; yet two of our party made a circuit of the lake, by jumping from rock to rock as best they could.
This rock appears to have a dip from the lake as shown in the figure; and as indicated by the distant view of the hills. We may therefore suppose this valley or notch to owe its origin to a violent uplift of the rocky strata perhaps at the time they were altered by the volcanic heat, which converted the sandstone into a quartz rock. Such an uplift would naturally form a chasm and leave the strata [inslining?] from it in different directions.
At this locality are many facts going to show the nature of the rock and to convince the attentive observer that it is an altered sandstone. Half a mile south of the lake on the banks of a small valley the sandstone and conglomerate appear in an unaltered state. Much of the altered rock is but slightly changed, showing still the original layers in great perfection and beauty, although now a solid mass of hard rock. These layers still retain their waved and oblique direction, as in the unaltered rock at the Dells. Some beautiful specimens were collected and we saw others in the museum of the University at Madison.
These hills continue south about two miles from the lake, and then we ascend into the broad and beautiful Prairie du Sac. They are said to extend eastward to the Wisconsin at the
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Ferry (Sec. 1, T.10, R.7) and west to an unknown distance. They probably form the dividing range between the waters of the Baraboo and the streams that run south into the Wisconsin.
The marble near the head of Bear Creek and the Iron Ore, six miles west of Reedsburgh, may be connected with this volcanic range of hills:
Sac Prairie is composed of loose gravel and sand covered by loam. It has probably been the bottom of a lake.
Limestone, to supply the village of Prairie du Sac, is taken partly from Honey Creek, but mostly from the top of the bluffs on the opposite side of the river (Sec. 6 T.9 R.7). The lower portion is sandy or sandy limestone. We did not visit the principal bluff [Gibralter?]. From this place to Madison and Graves Tavern, eight miles east (sec. 19? T.7 R.10) the Calciferous limestone prevails. We examined it on Sec. 31 T.9 R.8 and also at Graves'. Found no fossils. At the last place geodes lined with small crystals occur. Chert is also abundant. From the numerous fragments of ferruginous sandstone found here, we judge that we were near the junction of the limestone and sandstone.
On sec. 33 T.7 R.11 is a well dug in soft sandstone showing the usual variety of colors (red, yellow, and white) and great purity, particles rounded &c.
One mile further east (centre of 34, 7. 11.) is a limestone ledge resting upon "upper" sandstone, the junction being exposed at the bank of a small ravine. Here we found a fucoid, Buthotrephis succulus, Hall Pal. I., p. 62 pl. 22 fig. 2, similar to that found at Janesville, and also a small bivalve shell in the limestone.
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On the road between Red cedar and Ripley lakes (17m 6, 13) limestone is found and also at the town of Clinton on Koshkonong creek and on the school section on the north shore of Lake Koshkonong (T.5, R.13).
On Sec. 11, T.6, R. 13 is a well fifty feet deep. At 35 feet struck yellow limestone which contained 3 feet; then true Blue limestone 12 feet. We collected fossils, Bathrotrepis succulus Hall, Leptoena detroides, Con., Escharophora recta, H., Murchisonia, Orthys, &c., &c. Blue limestone is said to exist abundantly in Fon du Lac and Winnebago counties:
On Section 11, T. 5, R.4, halfway between Fort Atkinson and Cold Spring is a quarry of valley limestone in which I found Cocinopora as at Watertown and the lead mines; also Streptoplasma corriculum; and a spinal shell.
We found some ancient mounds on Rock river below Fort Atkinson on the west side. They have been opened and numerous bones taken from the largest one.
Found no more rock until we found the Waukesha limestone.
(Sketch).
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Of the Historical Society of Wisconsin.
It has recently been announced in the newspapers that a number of persons at Madison, the capital of our young state, have organized a society for the purpose of collecting and preserving materials for the History of Wisconsin. That such an organization should be formed and sustained is not doubted by any intelligent person. Indeed, many have expressed regret that the movement had not been made at a much earlier period. Some thoughts may very properly be presented in regard to this subject.
When we reflect upon the difficulty that now exists in tracing the origin and history of many nations of the earth; the eagerness with which the profoundest research is now instituted, to ascertain the facts that existed in ages past; the benefit conferred upon the human family by having at command the results of past experiences, we may conclude that it is the duty of each generation to carefully and faithfully preserve and record the history of their own times for the benefit of those who are to come after them.
This duty is a general one and should be performed by every individual in the community. Each person should feel the responsibility resting upon himself and if each one would do his whole duty, there would be but little for each to do. This division of labor would render the burden light. But in the present state of society it is quite evident that a large proportion of the community will do nothing in the premises, and so it devolves upon the remainder to perform an undue share of this work. It is the performance of this excess of individual duty that constitute the virtue of patriotism, philanthropy and good will to man.
